We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Why Negative News Flow Makes Me Want To Buy BAE Systems plc

Peter Stephens is keener than ever to buy shares in BAE Systems plc (LON: BA).

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

I like to buy stocks whose news flow is negative. This may, at first, sound rather Foolish but, if you think about it, everyone wants to buy shares when they are low in price and sell when they are high in price.

For shares to be low, there has to be some bad news kicking around: things have to look bleak. Similarly, for shares to move higher, there needs to be some good news, or else why would they be high?

XXX

So, the fact that news flow from BAE Systems (LSE: BA) (NASDAQOTH: BAESY.US) continues to be negative does not put me off at all. In fact, it makes me want to buy shares in the company!

Indeed, recent news has continued to be negative as it involves a blocked investigation into BAE’s arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Recent news on the topic includes the loss of a highly sensitive cache of documents by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which was conducting the investigation.

The SFO has admitted to “accidental data loss of 32,000 document pages and 81 audio tapes and electronic media“. The loss has sparked two separate reviews at the agency.

Obviously, such news is not good in the short term for BAE’s share price. However, for long-term investors such as me it presents an opportunity.

BAE currently trades on a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of just 11.5, which compares very favourably to the FTSE 100 on 15.2 and BAE’s industrials industry group on 23. Furthermore, the shares yield an impressive 4.4%, with earnings per share forecast to grow at a modest 3.5% per year over the next two years.

Of course, you may be looking for more than just one buying idea at the moment. If you are then I recommend you take a look at an exclusive report entitled 5 Shares To Retire On.

The shares reviewed all offer dependable dividends and sound growth prospects. Better yet, the report is completely free to view by clicking here.

> Peter owns shares in BAE Systems.

More on Investing Articles

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »